Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) provides qualitatively differentiated learning experiences for students with unique abilities, interests, and talents with the expectation that students will be successful learners capable of performing at high levels of ability. Research has shown that specialized instructional strategies, along with opportunities for gifted students to interact with each other on a regular basis, yield higher academic performance, as well as improved social and emotional well-being.

Upcoming Events

District GATE Activities

We are excited to continue our district-wide GATE enrichment events and activities..."After Class Enrichment Series" (ACES) with a blend of in-person and virtual activities every month.

November "ACES" Activities:

Middle School GATE students are invited to join us for a JPL "field trip" with a fun team scavenger hunt along the way. This interactive challenge will take place on Tuesday, November 18th. Information will be emailed to 6th - 8th grade GATE students and families one week prior to the activity.

December "ACES" Activities:

Secondary GATE students have an opportunity to participate in book origami at the library! This fun and festive activity will take place on Thursday, December 4th. Information will be emailed to 6th - 12th grade GATE students and families to complete the lottery/interest form for possible participation one week prior to the activity..
Elementary GATE students are invited to join us for a hands-on engineering in motion activity! This interactive, hands-on challenge will take place on Wednesday, December 17th. Information will be emailed to elementary GATE families to complete the lottery/interest form for possible participation one week prior to the activity.

Community Opportunities

Please note that CVUSD provides these resources for your reference, but that does not constitute affiliation with or recommendation of the organizations or practices listed within.

Family Fun

Special Programs

Ventura County Office of Edcuation (VCOE):

Hackathon by the Sea - Registration form along with permission forms in English and Spanish.
- ⚡ Part 1: Boot Up ⚡
  - 📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  - Escape Rooms • Team Challenges • Mentors • Skill-Building End the day with a real-world cyber problem to crack.
- ⚡ Part 2: The Showdown ⚡
  - 📅 Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  - Your team takes the stage and presents your solution.

Planning for the Future

Interested in Getting Involved?

Would you like to connect with other GATE families and get involved in GATE activities and events in CVUSD?

2025-2026 Meeting Calendar

For detailed meeting information, visit Board Docs to access the agenda 72 hours prior to our Friday morning meeting.

Contact Information

Shane Frank
Director of Middle School Education
805 497-9511 Ext. 1221
Email

Stefanie Caswell
GATE Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) Ext. 4226
Email

Heather Neely
Administrative Assistant
805 497-9511 Ext. 1220
Email

GATE Links

Mental Health

Learn More About GATE:

Program Information

Do you have a newly identified GATE student and wonder what this new world is all about? Our New GATE parent presentation can offer some insights into what GATE is/means and how we work to meet the needs of our gifted students in CVUSD.

Program Content

Content of the GATE Program includes, but is not limited to:

"After Class Enrichment Series" (ACES) offer district-wide GATE enrichmnet events and activities.
Monthly campus enrichment opportunities.
Qualitatively differentiated learning experiences in academic areas.
Accelerated learning options.
Development of critical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities.
Development of ethical standards, realistic healthy self concepts, sensitivity, and responsibility.
Social-emotional support.
Alternative interventions for underachieving, economically disadvantaged or culturally and linguistically diverse GATE students.

Program Options - Elementary

Once identified, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade GATE students are clustered in at least one class at each grade level on every school site. Focus is placed on the development of critical thinking skills and problem-solving activities, and sustained academic success. Curriculum is modified to meet student needs. Accelerated or extended learning opportunities are provided as appropriate. Students are encouraged to participate in optional activities provided by the school (during lunch or after school), district "ACES" (After Class Enrichment Series), and possible field trips to local colleges and/or community events.

"Odyssey of the Mind" sponsored by the district promoting creative problem-solving and collaborative teamwork.

"SPONT Day" sponsored by the District at different school locations.

"Invention Convention" is a STEAM focused district program open to ALL students in 3rd - 5th grade.

Program Options - Secondary

Students have an opportunity to meet together for at least one period a day in an appropriate honors or advanced placement class. Participation in optional activities provided by the school (during lunch or after school), district "ACES" (After Class Enrichment Series), possible field trips, and collaboration/exposure to local colleges and/or community events.

"Odyssey of the Mind" sponsored by the district promoting creative problem solving and collaborative teamwork.

"Teen Tech Convention" is a STEAM focused district program offered to 6th grade CVUSD GATE students at the Thousand Oaks Teen Center.

If you have any questions, please email Stefanie Caswell

Parent Involvement

Our CVUSD family and community is full of experts that do amazing things...EVERY day! Do you have a special skill-set/gift or talent that you could share with our students? We would love to hear from you!!! Contact Stefanie Caswell for volunteer opportunities surrounding your child's home campus.

The best way to understand what is happening in your child's education is to get involved with the people who make it happen.

Each school has a GATE Teacher Facilitator who organizes and leads enrichment activities and a parent representative who attends monthly meetings with the GATE District Advisory Council (GATE-DAC). The purpose of the monthly GATE-DAC meetings is to provide information about gifted students and the District's GATE program, review general student progress, plan special events during the year, and make recommendations to enhance the program. These meetings are also open to the public. Attending GATE-DAC meetings and sponsored activities provides you with additional understanding of the District's program and services available to your child. It also gives you the opportunity to meet other parents who have similar interests.

The GATE-DAC 2025-2026 Calendar can show you when our next GATE District Advisory Council parent meeting will take place. To access the agenda, visit Board Docs for more detailed meeting information.

You can also check with the principal at your child's school to see how you can assist your student's home campus GATE activities. We look forward to your involvement.

Is your GATE identified student new to CVUSD?

If your student was previously GATE identified in another district, we need the following information to determine GATE eligibility in CVUSD.

Eligibility letter or notice of previous district GATE placement.
Qualifying results from previous identification measures/assessments.

Please send this information to:

Conejo Valley Unified School District
Instructional Services
1400 East Janss Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

or via email to Stefanie Caswell

Interested in having your student screened for GATE?

The Instructional Services Department will screen this year's GATE referred students between December 2nd and 18th, with make-up options offered for December absentees through January 14, 2026.

GATE identification in CVUSD begins in 2nd grade.

Please note: the referral submission window for the 2025-2026 school year closed on November 4th. If you would like to refer your CVUSD 3rd - 11th grade student for GATE, please complete a GATE parent referral (linked above) and return it to Mrs. Caswell by November 3, 2026, for your student to be included in our next GATE referral screening opportunity during the 2026-2027 school year.

Universal Screening for Rising Third Graders

Rising third-grade students will have the opportunity to be screened for the GATE program in the spring of their second-grade year, unless parents/guardians choose to opt their student out of screening. Opt-out information will come from school site staff prior to the GATE screening activity administration, which is scheduled to take place on each of our elementary campuses between late March and April.

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